Photo taken from http://www.oldindianphotos.in/2013/03/group-photo-of-mundas-chota-nagpur-1903.html

A man can’t live a healthy, prosperous and beautiful life in the society without acquiring some knowledge about himself, his family and society. To gain some knowledge, he has to educate himself. Education means, acquisition of knowledge and experience as well as the development of habit, attitude and skill which helps a man to lead a worthy life. A brief history of past and present about the Mundas and Mundari language has been presented below to know and for acquiring of some knowledge for a better light on the subject.


Early history of the Munda aboriginals of India reveals that the people of whose remote ancestors were once the masters of the Indian soil. Munda generally means, “Head” of the village/communities. Historically, Mundas had kingdoms from ancient to the pre-British time, such as   kingdoms of Chhot-Nagpur, which was founded by Chutu & Nagu, ruled by the Raja Modra Munda. Similarly, the Bhumij(s) estates, especially Singhbhum, Dhalbhum, Barabhum, Tungbhum, Manbhum & Bhanjbhum etc. were under the control of the Bhumij rulers. At that time, the heads of the villages were also named (designated) basing on a particular community or region such as Manki, the head of a Pir (Pidho). The “Pidho” means a group of villages and each village had a head, namely – in Mundari and Ho villages “Munda”, in Goala and Kumhar villages “Pradhan”, in Kurmi villages “Mohto”. Similarly, in the villages of Santhals, Bhumijs, Bhuiyas, Birwals and Rautias were called “Manjhi”, “Sardar”, “Naik”, “Naik”, and “Gonjhu” respectively.  

During the British  period  not only  they have been hounded down by the British troops,  but also fled away themselves towards the east & north neighbouring estates of India due to drought, famine, flood and scarcity of food. For example, during the period of British rule, so many rebellions had taken place in the Chhotnagpur region, such as Kol insurrection (1831-1832), Sardar Movement (1845-1894), Birsa insurrection (1895-1900) and Sido–Kanhu rebellion (domin-i-koh 1855-1856). All those struggled were to safeguard their honour, to protect their cherished freedom and to get redress against money-lenders, the Zamindars and other parasitic landholders, who tried to deprive them of all they had. In time of insurrection of Birsa Munda, the British troop fired dead even to the women in the Dambari hill. Similarly, during the years 1915 to 1917 more than twenty-five thousand people had been transported by the British Govt. to the tea gardens of Assam as “Coolies” due to worst famines in Chhotnagpur region. Some of them came to the regions of present state of Odisha. In Odisha, they have been known as “Tamdia Bhumij” (those who belong to Tamad areas), “Santhal” (those who belong to Santhal Progana (Champaran / Chai champa) areas and “Kolho” (those who belong to Kolhan areas) etc. At present, those who are speaking Mundari languages have been identified by themselves and by their neighbors viz. Santals, Hos and Karmalis etc. as Tamadia, Dholua, Holodi Pokhoria, Bora Bhuinya Bhumij(s) etc.   Likewise, the Bhumij(s) of the Tamad (The Panch Pragana - Tamad, Bundu, Sonahatu, Silli and Andki), who are now in Odisha & Bengal have identified themselves on the names of their past villages of Chhotnagpur (Jharkhand) where they came from, such as Bundu, Silli, Sona Hatu, Andki, Jojo, Birgam, Bursu and Burudi etc. Besides, they have also various Gotras as follows –

Gotras                                                                  People of the villages of Jharkhand
  • (1)    Boraho                 -              Badu, Kurkuta, Tirul
  • (2)    Bhorodwaj          -              Chamdu, Kandeyar
  • (3)    Brojoraj                                -              Edeldi, Maipad
  • (4)    Beng-ra                                -              Edeldi Ghatwal, Galau, Ghutu
  • (5)    Chandi                  -              Dowalu, Kolma
  • (6)    Chandil                 -              Jojo, Jatangam, Kandomdiri, Leyong, Mauniyain, Mardhan, Halad,
  • Ranadi, Pandarani, Silliari, Silli Hatu, Satobhaiya, Sarjom

  • (7)    Dalim                     -              Sundrub
  • (8)    Hai                          -             
  • (9)    Hapuh                   -              So’doy
  • (10) Hasa-ala              –             Kuchi, Kukulu
  • (11) Hemros               -              Hulungdah
  • (12) Horo                     -              Gagakisan, Gada Mara, Gandua, Gondpad, Majidi, Kalihesah,
  • Sembali
  • (13) Huntar Ba’          -              Elkeya  
  • (14) Hurum Suku      -              Amjola, Kuti
  • (15) Kaldandi Kupila                -              Sereng
  • (16) Komol                  -              Amlesah, Badu, Bandabai, Bandhabai, Chayah, Chiyang, Dimbira,
  • Hunt, Jaleya, Jetha, Murud, Mutuwala, Pongura, Patala, Urlor,
  • Timpur, Tuntuliad, Silli Gal
  • (17) Kuibesa               -
  • (18) Kuluchi                                -
  • (19) Mankijhul           -              Janumpili
  • (Dodhimoka)    
  • (20) Marah                  -              Phundi, Situ.
  • (21) Mundil                 -              Tutuki,
  • (22) Nag                       -              Andki, Bonta, Bandu, Bareyan, Bale, Baru, Birgam, Bikuru, Burudi,
  • Budadi, Degadali, Gaulu, Gagara, Gamareya, Gitil Beda, Guduburu, Gulgu, Gulbeda, Chondoro, Hajom, Ikir, Illu, Jaleya, Jaranga, Jhabiri, Kanbu, Karki, Keda’uri, Kocha, Kokor, Kuda, Kujias, Lupung, Lumtu, Letemdah, Majidi, Nudi, Ou-hatu, Put-tuyu, Silli Hatu,  Silli Ari,  Sembali, Uduh, Urlor, Uli di
  • (23) Raj Boni               -              Harin
  • (24) Shal Hai               -              Jatangam, Nuru, Onta
  • (25) Shaldhua            -              Uli di
  • (26) Sandil                   -              Halad, Ichah, Mardhan, Pator, Ranadi, Rela
  • (27) Sandilyo              -              Jojo
  • (28) Saram                  -              Somadi, Harin
  • (29) Sinduri                 -              Pator                    
  • (30) Sole/Sulli            -              Jatangam, Patala, Un’tu
  • (31) Ta’o                      -              Edrom, Bandu, Baguti, Bakar, Bakar Kulid, Basa, Choka, Choda,
  • Chauka, Chunudi, Diuli, Deuli, Ganduwa, Gereneyain,  Jojo, Jambudah, Jona, Jona Di, Kapaleya, Kalka,  Kita Andah, Kudi Madukam, Khadru, Nim Dih, Panda Dih, Pator, Pat–kom, Phogola, Somadi, Sarmali, Sareyad, Saru Beda, Sembali, Harub
  • (32) Tani                       -              Ormad
  • (33) Thesa                   -              Baro , Mundi, Hulungda, Jalida
  • (34) Tu’l                        -              Andki, Banku, Sinduri                    
  • (35) Tuti                       -              Amjola, Bandu, Kanchi, Kota, Mayepad, Niori, Sali Hatu, Tunju, Tuyu
  • (36) Ugur Chondi      -              Ichah , Dulmi .                                                                   

Moreover, the following Killis (Gotros) are also used by the Mundari communities, those who are residing in neighbouring states of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Chhattisgrah. Such as, Aind, Baba, Baday Ud, Bando, Barlanga, Baru, Bhengra, Boda, Bodoso, Bojorai, Budu,  Hadang, Denchua, Deresanga, Fandi/Ka’u, Gumi Buru, Hanjed, Hans, Harusa, Hadeh,  Herenj, Hunipurti, Jojoboro, Kandir, Ode, Kasyop, Ka’u, Kondolna, Baroa, Kula, Langchhere, Malu,  Mundari, Odea, Runda, Samad, Sanga, Sankura, Topon, Denta  etc .

Mundari is a principal language of the people of Munda communities, who belong to the family of Austro-Asiatic group. The language is spoken by various communities such as Munda, Mundari, Bhumij(s), Horo, Birhors, Khadia and Kodas so on, although each and every community has its own dialect. It is sisterly related to Santali & Ho languages. It ranks second among north Munda group of family after Santhali in India.   It has 75 % intelligibility of Ho and 70 % to 80 % lexical similarity with Bhumij(s). Here, Bhumij(s) means the Tamadia Bhumij, Tamariya Bhumij, Tamalia Bhumij, Dhalua Bhumij , Borabhuin Bhumij, Holodi Pukhoria Bhumij, Koda Bhumij, Teli Bhumij etc. The communities are from the one stock (Munda), though their dialects and customs are slightly different from each other due to separation and change of regions in course of time.

The language belongs to the agglutinative class. Every word in Mundari language is composed of morphemes, which are suffixed one after another till we obtain words which are complete in themselves and every syllable of which contributes its fixed quota to the general significance of the whole.
 Viz.:- (1)   Jam:  Jam + tan = Jamtan, Jam + tan + ko = Jamtanko .        
           (2)  Sen:   Sen + tan = Sentan, Sen + tan + ko = Sentanko.
           (3)  Lel:   Lel + ken = Lelken, Lel + ken + ko = Lelkenko etc.
In India, the Govt. of Bihar/Jharkhand has introduced the Mundari language in the curriculum of the Secondary & Higher Secondary Education and it is taught as a compulsory and elective subject at the Intermediate level. The  Ranchi University, Ranchi & Kolhan University, Chainbasa of Jharkhand state have also introduced the Mundari Language as a compulsory  and  Honors subject in some of their constituent/ affiliated colleges for study .
Similarly, the Govt. of Odisha has introduced Munda Language in a centrally sponsored Plan in the “District Primary Education Programme“(DPEP) in the context of “Sarba Shikhya Abhiyan” adopting Multi-Lingual Education (MLE) system. Also the Govt. of Assam as well as Jharkhand have taken initiatives to educate the children with their mother tongue languages in Mundari language.

  Further, since the year 1982, the NGO’S like “Mundari Samaj Sanwar Jamda “, Poda Astia, Mayurbhanj, Odisha has taken various initiatives to open Mundari Schools and for the teaching of Mundari language in numerous   villages   such as  Hensda, Bangriposi, Bada Kuchiamara, Salboni, Kishandahi, Muchiasahi, Kamalasole, Kaliapada, Jamboni and Madhupur in the state of Odisha, where the Mundari Language speaking peoples are constituted.

The all India Organization “ Bharat Munda Samaj “ has also taken steps to open Mundari Schools in many villages having Mundari communities in Odisha, Jharkhand and West Bengal  since the year 2004, in which the Mundari language is being taught at the Lower primary level through its  own script “Mundari Bani“ by the text books so prepared for the purpose.
In order to ascertain the status of the Munda community among the major north Munda groups in Odisha according to the size of population, on the basis of language spoken by various communities, a comparative table based on the Census of India – 1961, 1991 and  2011 has been provided below.
Communities
1961
1991
2011
Santali language speaking groups



Santal
4,41,181
6,29,782
8,94,764
Mahali
7,016
13,585
18,625
TOTAL
4,41,182
6,29,783
8,94,765
Ho language speaking groups



Kolha
2,03,515
4,04,864
6,25,009
Ho
43,323
50,892
80,608
TOTAL
2,03,516
4,04,865
6,25,010
Mundari language speaking groups



Munda(s)
2,21,399
3,96,561
5,58,691
Bhumij(s)
1,16,181
1,78,214
2,86,469
Mundari
17,688
31,147
25,655
TOTAL
2,21,400
3,96,562
5,58,692

Similarly, in case of total literate population as per the Census of India - 1961 to 1991 and 2011, the number of literates of the above major north munda communities in Odisha are as follows:
Communities
1961
1971
1981
1991
2011
Santali language speaking groups





Santal
26268
41054
76135
121694
416466
Mahali
412
693
1262
2345
8057
TOTAL
26680
41747
77397
124039
424523
Ho language speaking groups





Kolha
10501
18182
28704
48270
209182
Ho
3071
2860
5673
14136
28524
TOTAL
13572
21042
34377
62406
237706
Mundari language speaking groups





Munda(s)
19210
29473
54925
86377
253035
Bhumij(s)
7314
11572
19142
29830
124794
Mundari
1300
1930
4469
6879
13106
TOTAL
27824
42975
78536
123086
390935

Population of Munda, Mundari and Bhumij in various districts of Odisha. (Census Figures)
Districts
Census Year  
Bhumij(s)
Munda(s)
Mundari
1961
2011
1961
2011
1961
2011
Balasore
20149
70014
2669
1165
78
772
Bhadrak

1057

7234

50
Bolangir
2
29
5710
2057
0
9
Nuapada

15

786

10
Cuttack
1734
627
6742
19938
0
58
Jagatsinghpur

332

1047

12
Kendrapara

549

1137

153
Jajpur

6643

49874

7
Dhenkanal
2325
5355
7878
22643
0
11
Anugul

210

14377

39
Ganjam
1
33
723
146
0
0
Gajapati



35


Kalahandi
0
35
9079
4055
0
2
Nuapada

15

786

10
Keonjhar
8122
14386
27492
48871
6110
1567
Koraput
20
669
5892
405
3
16
Malkangiri

918

311

0
Nabarangapur

53

588

2
Rayagada

19

302

6
Mayurbhanj
79394
173060
4727
28942
8292
5435
Phulbani
4
4
1311
356
0
1
Baudh

6

268


Puri
64
96
90
271
0
2
Khordha

1146

5392

217
Nayagarh

7

37


Sambalpur
78
78
35655
64862
111
181
Bargarh

11

5320

3
Jharsuguda

104

20063

70
Deogarh

66

21964

147
Sundargarh
4288
5444
113431
164765
3094
16997

The above table reveals that, the majority of the Munda(s) are concentrated in the districts of Sundargarh, whereas the Bhumij(s) are mostly found in the district of Mayurbhanj. Similarly, Mundari population is dominantly found in district of Sundargarh, followed by Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar etc.
Population of Munda, Mundari and Bhumij in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. (Census Figures)
1961
1971
1981
1991
2011
Munda(s)
4727
8893
25645
37946
28942
Mundari
8292
7369
8214
5988
5435
Bhumij(s)
79394
96472
94214
106659
173060

As per the table, the population of the Bhumij(s) is the highest among all the Munda communities in district of Mayurbhanj followed by the Munda(s). On the other hand, Mundari has the lowest of population in the district.

As a whole, as per the figures so arrived above, we can conclude that the Munda community is one of the predominant tribal communities in the northern districts of Odisha. Hence, in order to develop our society and maintain our stronghold we have to sustain, develop and propagate our language, script and culture, so as to enable the community to be recognized within the mainstream of India.
Jai Samaj.